A 15/3.5
General Description
This lens is virtually identical to its predecessor, the 15/3.5. The only differences are the A-style focusing and aperture rings, an extra "A" aperture setting, slightly softened edges, and five aperture blades of the instead of the six of the 15/3.5.
Although it is very seldom that one finds the A 15/3.5 for sale used, any good photo store should be able to order it new.
| Product Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Exact Name | smc PENTAX-A 1:3.5 15mm | |
| Color | black | |
| Year of Introduction | 1984 | |
| Sales Variations | ||
| Catalog Number | 22010 | 22010 |
| Sold with Hood | — | — |
| Sold with Case | hard case: HE-120 | soft case: S90-100 |
Technical Specifications
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Optical Formula | 13 elements in 12 groups |
| Aperture Range | f/3.5 ~ f/22 |
| Number of Aperture Blades | 5 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.3 m |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.08 X |
| Mechanics | |
| Front-Filter Thread | no |
| Built-in Filters | Y48(Y2), Skylight, none, L39(UV), O56(O2) |
| Maximum Diameter | 80 mm |
| Length | 82 mm |
| Weight | 595 g |
| Accessories | |
| Cap | metal slip-on cap, 80 mm |
| Fitting Hood(s) | not applicable |
| Fitting Case(s) | hard case: HE-120 soft case: S90-100 |
Subjective Evaluation
This lens uses the same optical construction as the 15/3.5 but supposedly features an improved SMC coating. It is then reasonable to assume that the "A" lens boasts somewhat better ghost/glare suppression while all other optical indicators remain virtually identical.
Although I know of no side-by-side comparisons between the two lenses, user reports tend agree with the above.